Experts have issued a warning to UK households as hot weather forces temperatures to rise close to 30C in Britain, leaving many unable to sleep in oven-like conditions. However, it isn't just sleeping in the heat you have to worry about, if your home gets too hot, you are at risk of serious medical issues such as strokes and heart attacks.
While autumn and winter present their own problems, with the likes of Octopus Energy saying the temperature in your home should never fall below 15C, summer can be just as dangerous. A study by housing expert Richard Moore found a shocking link between housing temperatures and the risk of major health conditions:
- 24C+ – Cardiovascular risk of strokes and heart attacks
- 21-24C – Increasing discomfort
- 18-21C – Comfortable temperatures
- 16-18C – Discomfort, small health risks
- 12-16C – Risk of respiratory diseases
- 9-12C – Risk of strokes, heart attacks
- <9°C – Risk of hypothermia
High temperatures, even indoors, mean your body has to work harder to keep its core temperature to normal levels. This puts strain on your heart which can result in heart attacks and strokes.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states UK households should aim to keep the temperature under 24C at night. During the day, it should not get over 32C. WHO adds: "This is especially important for infants or people who are over 60 years of age or have chronic health conditions."
Advising the public what to do in a heatwave, WHO says you should take the following steps:
- Use the night air to cool down your home. Open all windows and shutters during the night and the early morning, when the outside temperature is lower (if safe to do so)
- Reduce the heat load inside the apartment or house. Close windows and shutters (if available) especially those facing the sun during the day. Turn off artificial lighting and as many electrical devices as possible
- Hang shades, draperies, awnings or louvers on windows that receive morning or afternoon sun
- Hang wet towels to cool down the room air
- If your residence is air conditioned, close the doors and windows and conserve electricity not needed to keep you cool, to ensure that power remains available and reduce the chance of a community-wide outage
- Electric fans may provide relief, but when the temperature is above 35C, may not prevent heat-related illness. It is important to drink fluids
